NEWS
NEWS
Museum receives accolade for audience engagement
The Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney has won the 2024 International Council of Museums (ICOM) Australia Institution Award. It is the first university museum to receive this award.
Faith communities call for fossil fuel phase-out
Cathedrals and over 150 diverse places of worship across Australia, including in Sydney, unveiled banners on September 17 with a united message for the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition: supporting a rapid transition from coal and gas to clean energy.
Living with dementia – a carer’s journey: 9. Residential care (part...
In July 2022, just over a year after Stuart was first admitted, I wrote to the facility service manager about Stuart’s personal care.
After the Voice referendum
Volunteers who campaigned in support of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament recently met at the Redfern Community Centre to hear about the way forward from the outgoing Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney and Indigenous author and activist, Thomas Mayo.
Meet your candidates for Lord Mayor
The NSW local government elections will be held on Saturday, September 14. Candidates from nine parties responded to three key prompts on transport, development and housing affordability.
Inspirational shark art preview at Australian Museum
National treasure Ken Done, 2022 Archibald Prize winner Blak Douglas and designer Sarah Munro, from Sarah & Sebastian, will unveil their artworks that were inspired by the winners of the Fantastical Shark & Rays children’s art competition at the Australian Museum from Saturday September 7.
Appreciating Indigenous science
Held at Redfern Community Centre on August 17, the 2024 Indigenous Science Experience Community Day gave visitors the chance to learn about everything from Indigenous astronomy and bush medicine to the physics behind traditional tools.
Sydney International Equity Scholarship
A new scholarship worth more than $100,000 annually is set to transform the lives of seven outstanding international students.
Homes NSW’s preferred consortium for Waterloo
Homes NSW has announced its preferred partners to lead the Waterloo renewal are the consortium of Stockland, Link Wentworth, City West Housing, and Birribee.
Food scraps recycling service
Mirrung Garden has a new option for local residents to recycle their household food scraps. In addition to our worm farms, compost bins and chicken coop, the garden now has a maroon lid food scraps bin that can take all kinds of scraps including citrus, dairy, meats, and small bones.
Living with dementia – a carer’s journey: 8. Residential care (part...
The management at the aged care facility wanted to send Stuart to hospital to trial different doses of antipsychotic medication for his behavioural issues. On August 18, 2021, Stuart was admitted to St George Hospital, ultimately for eight days, while the medication was adjusted.
Recognising our radical union and cultural history
REDFERN: The unprepossessing building at 199 Cleveland Street, opposite Prince Alfred Park, is known to many residents as the 40-year home of the innovative theatre company, Performance Space. Prior to this, from 1932 to 1969, the building was the headquarters of the Australian Railways Union (ARU).
University sport stars competing in Paris
A javelin star who combines athletics with a full-time career as a doctor. A water polo player competing just 15 months after giving birth to her baby daughter...
Living with dementia – a carer’s journey: 7. Residential care (part...
I never expected that the first 16 months following Stuart’s admission to residential care on June 9, 2021, would be the most difficult time of my life. I thought my care duties would reduce, but instead the stress intensified to another level.
Time for action on viral hepatitis
World Hepatitis Day was July 28. This year the message is clear: It’s time for action – get out, get tested, get cured and live your best life.
Apology to LGBTQIA+ community
On June 6, Premier Chris Minns issued an "unreserved" apology to NSW’s LGBTQIA+ community over historical laws which criminalised homosexual acts.
Sydney’s best ‘top 20’ result in prestigious world rankings
The University of Sydney has secured its highest ever ranking overall and continues to be rated as a top 20 global university in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Homes NSW to develop North Eveleigh Clothing Store site
The North Eveleigh Clothing Store Precinct will be transferred to Homes NSW for the delivery of 500 new homes, half of which will be social and affordable homes.
A new kind of industry policy
The Trevor Davies Memorial Lecture is an annual event hosted by the Trevor Davies ALP Branch, and the Newtown ALP State Electorate Council. This year, it was held at the Royal Hotel on June 13. Assistant Minister Tim Ayres, a former branch member and Darlington local, was asked to deliver the address.
Refreshing approach to food production
REDFERN: On July 21, I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the new website for Native Botanical Brewery (NBB), and to talk to the team behind this new and innovative business.
‘A giant in the fight for First Nations justice’
It is with great sadness that Reconciliation Australia sends our condolences to the family and friends of the Rev. Dr D. Gondarra OAM.
Sleepout in support of homelessness services
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event held on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year. The St Vincent de Paul Society launched the event in 2006 to raise awareness and funds to combat homelessness, with close to $100 million raised nationally over 18 years of the event.
Living with dementia – a carer’s journey: 6. Respite and in-home...
I was exhausted and desperately needed a break from full-time care for Stuart.
Sitting outdoors – a beautiful experience
A bit of winter sun is good for your health. It helps your body produce Vitamin D and creates other processes in the body such as serotonin and dopamine.
Koalas at the fore of fight for preservation
The Tipping Point team, who develop projects for Friends of the Earth Australia, commissioned Blak Douglas to paint Coalface, his latest mural in Redfern in the heart of the electorate of the Minister for the Environment and Water.
Tenants have their say about Waterloo
In the first half of 2023, at community events, online and through government and non-government agencies, tenants had opportunity to provide their views as part of the Waterloo Public Housing Tenant Survey.
Living with dementia – a carer’s journey: 5. Psychotic episodes
One evening in May 2020, Stuart suddenly felt freezing cold. I checked his vital signs, all seemed to be within the normal range. In the following days and weeks, gradually the symptoms became more frequent. He would start with feeling cold, then roll onto the floor, shivering, holding his head saying “you are hitting me”, “it hurts”.
Crown Princess Mary Scholarship: how a Sydney student met Denmark’s Queen
When University of Sydney student Sophia Parada began her degree in 2020, she feared the pandemic would derail her dreams of studying abroad. In late May, at a ceremony in Denmark, she shook hands with Queen Mary as she accepted a scholarship to study at the University of Copenhagen.
Jan de Voogd’s legacy of compassion
Jan de Voogd was a Quaker peace activist, musician, teacher, sailor and boat builder who lived in Sydney. Born in Japan to Dutch parents, Jan spoke several languages. His work for peace spanned more than 50 years.
Volunteers rule!
Counterpoint Community Services hosted its 18th Redfern and Waterloo Volunteer Awards at the Alexandria Town Hall on May 22. The event was part of National Volunteer Week.
Making room for community
The Waterloo Action Plan includes the following action point (2.7): “to make better use of existing community infrastructure and its availability and use for community outcomes. For example, reinvigorate community rooms and common areas and public spaces to bring community together.”
A place where culture can be cherished and shared
Some years back, the City of Sydney purchased 119 Redfern Street (former site of Redfern Post Office) with the intention of providing a local Aboriginal knowledge and culture centre. The premises was officially opened on May 11, and offers two levels of multipurpose community and commercial space.
State of Origin sides for Game 1
This year’s State of Origin series is almost upon us, with New South Wales, now led by Michael Maguire, looking to end a two-year losing streak against their arch-rivals.
Seen on the Green
Gumeroy was born in Moree, near the Mehi River. He had a “typical country upbringing” which included hunting, fishing, and sports.
Winter in the balcony garden
You can do a lot with a tiny balcony, especially in winter. Winter growing flowers like pansies ($1.49) and heartsease (99c), or poppies ($2.49) can go in to pots in the sun and will flower throughout winter, and bring happiness wherever they go.
Redfern Community Centre – celebrating 20 years
REDFERN: The 20th anniversary of RCC was celebrated on April 20, 2024, with Councillors (Waskam) Emelda Davis and HY William Chan being joined by Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo for the cutting of the cake.
Native Foodways – ‘Baking is one part of what we do’
Native Foodways is a First Nations owned and led social enterprise partnering with people from communities across Australia.
Can the Waterloo South People and Place Plan deliver?
Homes NSW Portfolio (formerly LAHC) has placed its Draft People and Place Plan on its Waterloo South site for comment until the end of May.
Why we love our pets
We all know that pets play an important role in our lives and we love them for many reasons. They are companions, supporters, don’t judge us and are loyal.
Living with dementia – a carer’s journey: 4. Progression
A year after the dementia diagnosis, Stuart was reasonably stable, but his cognition and memory started to deteriorate. He wasn’t able to put the rubbish in the colour coded bins, flooded the bathroom by leaving the tap on, misplaced house keys.
Run with Team UNHCR
Registration is now open for major running events in Sydney and Melbourne. Join Team UNHCR ...
Connected people are healthy people
Our hearts are heavy as we continue to mourn the tragic events that unfolded last month at Westfield, Bondi Junction, and across our city. The senseless loss of lives in such a familiar setting strikes deep at our sense of security.
Volunteers’ News – May 2024
As I write this column on Anzac Day 2024, I reflect on the members of my own family who served in various theatres of war, including my uncle John, killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1917, and my maternal grandfather James, the Boer War and WWI.
‘Research and art practice inform each other’ Artist Profile: Konstantina
Gadigal artist Konstantina (Kate Constantine) has published an extraordinary book.
Helping to rebuild a Spitfire
Engine parts from a rare Second World War Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire that was shot down by German armed forces in 1942 and lost until being recovered from a Norwegian peat bog 76 years later are being rebuilt at the University of Sydney.